Rent Increases in Victoria: The Rules, Your Options, and What to Do Next

Can your landlord increase your rent in Victoria?

Yes. Victorian landlords can increase rent, but only under specific conditions. They cannot increase it whenever they like or by any amount they choose.

The rules apply to all residential tenancies in Victoria, whether you are on a fixed-term lease or a periodic (rolling) agreement.

• Periodic lease: Your landlord can increase rent with 90 days written notice, no more than once every 12 months.
• Fixed-term lease under 5 years: Rent can only be increased if your lease agreement specifies the new amount or the method for calculating it (for example, a CPI-linked formula or a fixed percentage). If the lease does not include this, rent cannot change until the fixed term ends.

Victoria updated its tenancy laws in 2023 to apply the once-per-12-months limit to all tenancy types. Previously, different rules applied to fixed-term agreements. More recently, from 25 November 2025 the notice period was extended from 60 to 90 days, and from 31 March 2026 the dispute process changed to route through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) before VCAT, with CPI now a factor VCAT considers when assessing excessive increases. See the sections below for details.

If your landlord tries to increase rent more frequently than once every 12 months, or without the correct notice, the increase is not valid. You do not have to pay the higher amount until a valid notice has been given.

How much notice does your landlord have to give?

At least 90 days written notice before the new rent takes effect, on the official Notice of Proposed Rent Increase form. This increased from 60 days on 25 November 2025, so if you're going by an older article or a previous notice, double-check the figure — it's a requirement under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC).

The notice period starts from the day you receive the notice, not the day it was sent. If you received less than 90 days notice, the start date is invalid. You can continue paying the old rent until 90 days have passed from when you received it.

How often can rent be increased in Victoria?

Once every 12 months per tenancy. This means 12 months must have passed since the last increase took effect, not since the last notice was given.

If your landlord increased your rent in March 2025, the earliest the next increase can take effect is March 2026. A notice sent in January 2026 for a February 2026 start date would not be valid.

What makes a valid rent increase notice in Victoria?

To be valid, a rent increase notice must:

• Use the official Notice of Proposed Rent Increase form
• State the new rent amount in dollars
• State the calculation method used (for example, a specific CPI figure for a given quarter, or a fixed percentage)
• State the date the new rent takes effect
• Give at least 90 days from the date you receive it

A verbal notice from your property manager does not count, and neither does a notice with only a vague reference to "market valuation" or "CPI" without specifics — the exact figure and method must be stated.

If the notice is missing any of these elements, it is not enforceable. Contact Consumer Affairs Victoria if you are unsure whether a notice you received is valid.

What if the increase seems excessive?

First, request a free rent assessment from Consumer Affairs Victoria, which determines the property's market rental value and sends the finding to both you and your landlord.

If that doesn't resolve it, you apply to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV), an early resolution and case management service run by VCAT — an application to RDRV is also an application to VCAT, so you don't need to apply to both separately. If mediation through RDRV doesn't resolve it, the case proceeds to a full VCAT hearing where a member makes the final call.

Since 31 March 2026, CPI is one of the factorsVCAT weighs when assessing whether a proposed increase is excessive, alongside comparable market rent for similar properties in the area. Your landlord's own costs (including mortgage repayments or interest rate changes) are not relevant factors.

Unlike NSW, VCAT charges a small application fee (around $60–100 depending on the claim type). You do not need a lawyer to apply.

To support your case, gather evidence of comparable market rents in your area using recent listings from Domain or REA, or ask Consumer Affairs Victoria for guidance.

How to respond to a rent increase in Victoria

1. Check the notice is valid.Confirm it's on the official form, states the new amount, the calculation method, and date, and gives at least 90 days. If not, it is not yet enforceable.
2. Check the timing. Has it been at least 12 months since your last increase took effect? If not, you can reject the notice on that basis.
3. Assess whether it is reasonable. Compare the proposed rent to recent listings for similar properties in your area. Use the two-benchmark test: CPI alignment and landlord replacement cost.
4. Negotiate or dispute. Most landlords will negotiate with a reliable tenant who puts forward a specific, reasoned counter-offer. See our negotiation guide and counter-offer email templates. If negotiation does not work and the increase is above market, start with a free Consumer Affairs Victoria assessment, then RDRV/VCAT if it's still unresolved.

Victoria rent increase rules: summary table

This is a general guide. Verify current rules with Consumer Affairs Victoria before taking action.